Re: Fw: Show and Tell - AF 50mm f1.7...

[Paul Stenquist]

Tanya, you have to stop smashing cameras. I was quite dismayed when you 
tossed that PZ1 or whatever it was over the cliff, and I am now deeply 
despondent to hear that you've trashed another camera. Are you related 
to Tom V? ,vbg>. In any case, I don't think you're making a mistake if 
you hold off on that digital purchase. The prices are going to drop -- 
precipitously. They've already fallen some 15% in just a couple of 
months. I would guess that you'll soon be able to purchase a 10 
megapixel digital for less than $1000. Two years at the most is my 
call. Meanwhile, you're smart to continue using your film equipment to 
make money.
On Tuesday, December 2, 2003, at 07:12 PM, Tanya Mayer Photography 
wrote:

Many thanks William, and everybody else for your thoughtful responses 
to
this thread...
In regards to the digital/film thingy:

I KNOW that I need to go digital.  I know that I would recoup the $$ 
in
very little time and I also know that it would be SOOOOOO beneficial 
for me
out here having no labs etc.  BUT, in Australian dollars, the outlay 
to go
over to the *istD is over $3000.
I HAVE decided that I am going to lease one for tax/technology 
reasons,
but due to my business only being set up this year, I am still 
required to
place an au$1500 deposit for security.  Might not be much to most "pro"
photographers, but I have 3 kids hanging out for a very generous Santa 
in a
couple of weeks aaaaaaannd, another little story to tell...
Three weeks ago, I was shooting graduation portraits in the bush in a 
town
about 2 hours from mine (it is called Moranbah, if any of you Aussies 
have
heard of it).  Anyways, light was running out, the kids were all 
bloody late
(little brats!), and I was RUSHING to get them all through. So, I was
running across a road when I tripped, dropped everything I was 
carrying and
then turned to watch the next passing car run over everything that I 
was
carrying!  Aaaaaargh!  So just WHAT was I carrying?  Well, it was a 
(very
poorly made) Sigma EF430st flashgun, three rolls of NPH400, a Pentax 
Pz-20,
and a Tamron 28-200mm lens (the same one that shel's friend is 
selling).
Combined, this was my favourite set up for shooting portraits!  Ok, so 
of
course I had backup gear, and went ahead with the job no problems 
(although
with my hands  shaking!).  I was very lucky, cause looking back it most
easily could have
been MYSELF that got collected by the car.  Anyways, I had prompt flash
backs of the PZ-1P that I "threw" over a cliff a few years back (anyone
remember that? Stan saved my butt on that one...), and which I never 
did
replace.  For some reason, that I can't put my finger on, I have since 
come
to LOVE the Pz-20 body, and have 3 (well, 2 and one smashed one!) of 
them,
and think I will stick with them.  They do everything that I have come 
to
need.
Of course, everything WAS insured (not that I would get much back, 
cause
it was all used gear), BUT decided against claiming them due to the 
time
factor involved.  I would need to source 3 or 4 quotes and then send 
them to
my insurance company etc, because of course there isn't an agent here 
in my
town.  To put it into perspective, a gecko crawled into my power 
supply on
my pc last year and it took me 6 months to get another one!

Sooo, basically, my *istD "fund" has disappeared for now, as over the 
past
three weeks, I have enabled myself with the following items:  another 
Pz-20,
Pentax FA 28-105mm lens, Pentax FA 50mm f1.7mm lens, 360fgz flashgun.  
And
whilst I was at it, I went a bit mad and also bought an Incablitz
flashmeter, Lowepro Nova 5 Camera Bag, SLS 160ws monolight (300 
effective
ws), light stand, softbox, umbrella, carry bag.  Phew!

Of course, I am well aware that what I have spent over the past few 
weeks,
could very well have purchased my *istD outright, BUT I am intending of
going down the "shoot digital have film backup" path, so want to get 
that
side of things sorted out too.
I am now at a point where I am quite confident and comfortable in my
"collection" of equipment that I can offer consistent results to my 
clients.
I do OF COURSE, still want to go digital, but that won't happen until 
the
New Year now...
William, I already scan most of my work, and ftp (upload) it to my lab
where they print just as they would if I were shooting digital.  As 
they are
a Pro lab, the turn around time is generally about 3-5 days, which 
would
only differ by a day or so if I had actually hand delivered it/picked 
it up
myself, so I am happy with that side of things.  They also do a 
fantastic
job. For Aussie members, the lab's website is www.imt.net.au if anyone 
wants
to check it out.  The delay for me is that I have to send the film off 
to be
processed first, before I can get to work on it.  That adds another 3-5
days, sometimes more, to the turn around.
Moral of the story is that when I do get my *istD that side of things
won't really change where my lab is concerned, BUT I won't have to a) 
mail
order film (as no-one locally stocks any Pro films), and b) won't have 
to
send film off to be processed.  The trips to Brisbane are for 
work/bookings.
I am travelling there to shoot weddings, and couldn't possibly 
comprehend
travelling there for lab stuff (it is a 14 hour drive!).  I welcome the
Brisbane trips as they give me the chance to display a larger variety 
of
backdrops and locations on my website and also give me a great break 
for a
day or two from my kids! lol.
Ok, so sorry that was all so long winded, just wanted to fill you all 
in
on my "butter fingers" and say thanks for all of your encouraging
comments...
tan.